From ramen to churros: your guide to comfort food in the Markthal
Wintertime is officially here. The clocks have been set back an hour, and that extra bit of sleep feels secretly good—but it also means the evenings get darker sooner. Outside, the wind bites a little harder on your cheeks, and the city seems to slowly wrap itself in a blanket of cold. This is exactly the moment when hunger craves not just sustenance, but warmth, spice, and coziness. Comfort food, in other words—food that embraces you from the inside out.
For anyone shivering in Rotterdam or simply longing for a good dose of culinary comfort, there’s one place you can always count on: the Markthal. Under its spectacular ceiling, you’ll find aromas that pull you in and flavors that make you forget the harsh, early dark outside.
1. a bowl of warmth: Pho Asian Noodle Bar & Takumi Ramen Kitchen
Where there’s comfort, there are noodles. And when your fingers are cold and your cheeks tingle from the winter air, there’s little as satisfying as the first spoonful of a well-made broth. At Pho Asian Noodle Bar, you’ll find clear, aromatic soups that gradually warm you from within. For a richer, creamier option, step into Takumi Ramen Kitchen. Their tonkotsu broth is silky, deeply flavorful, and exactly the kind of warmth you wish you could take home in a jar.
2. A brammetje
Sometimes you don’t need anything fancy. Sometimes you just want the iconic, fresh fries from Bram Ladage. Crispy, piping hot, with mayo or peanut sauce—or both. The aroma alone is enough to lift your spirits instantly. It’s nostalgia and hunger, all in one cone.
3. creamy curries with character
When you crave a dish that truly sticks with you, head to Punjabi Food. Their curries are full of spicy warmth—not just heat, but rounded, creamy, and comforting. Perfect for cold evenings when all you want to think about is comfort.
4. saté lounge: sweet, savory, heartwarming
A stick of satay is a hug you can’t refuse. At Saté Lounge, you’ll find Indonesian-inspired sauces that make you lick your fingers. The combination of tender meat and creamy peanut sauce is a classic “it’s cold, I deserve this” experience.
5. the duck truck: comfort with character
For something heartier, a visit to The Duck Truck is a must. Pulled duck on a brioche bun, slow-cooked until melt-in-your-mouth tender: this is comfort food with a culinary twist. Warm, flavorful, and exactly the kind of guilty pleasure you secretly allow yourself in winter
6. sweet indulgence: churros & chocolate
At Churros & Chocolate in the Markthal, you’ll find the ultimate winter hug on the go: warm churros with melting chocolate sauce. Poffertjes and waffles are also on the menu, golden and airy—perfect for treating yourself during a tour of the food spots. Everything is takeaway, so you can carry your sweet comfort moment while strolling through the Markthal or warming up outside.
